Bow with inflexible tubular nocking member



April-2, 1968 s.J. NovAK 3,375,815

BOW WITH INFLEXBLE TUBULAR NCKING MEMBER Filed Feb. 5, 1965 FIG. 2 I

INVENTOR. STANLEY J. NOVAK ATTORNEY United States Patent Office3,375,815 BOW WITH INFLEXIBLE TUBULAR NOCKING MEMBER Stanley J. Novak,Bartlett Road, Middle Island, N.Y. 11953 Filed Feb. 3, 196s, ser. No.429,976 16 Claims. (Cl. 124-23) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bow havingan inflexible tubular sleeve mounted on its bowstring at the noc'kingpoint. The inside diameter of the sleeve is just large enough for thebowstring to pass through, while the outside diameter of the sleeve issmall enough to receive an arrow nock. As the bowstring is drawn, thesleeve maintains the bowstring straight in the vicinity of the nockingpoint to eliminate finger pinch.

The present invention relates to an archery device and to a bowstringsheath for such a device.

A serious shortcoming of conventional archery bows is that they causethe problem commonly known as finger pinch. As the bowstring is drawn,the string forms an acute angle at the point at which the arrow isnocked. rFhis causes a pinching of the index, middle and ring fingerswhich are used to draw the bowstring. Such pinching has a number ofundesirable results. First, the fingers used to draw the -bowstring aresubject to, at least, discomfort and even to possible injury. Second,from the standpoint of markmanship, finger pinch makes drawing thebowstring difficult and prevents the execution of smooth releases of thestring and arrow. These factors lead to inaccuracies in shooting interms of both direction and distance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedarchery device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved bowstring sheath for an archery device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bowstringsheath which eliminates finger pinch and potential injuries to thefingers which are used to draw the bowstring.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anarchery device which permits easy drawing of the bowstring and smoothrelease of the bowstring and the arrow resulting in improved accuracyand distance.

`An archery device constructed in accordance with the present inventionincludes a bow member and a bowstring attached between the ends of thebow member. Also included in the archery device of the invention is aninflexible tubular member mounted on the bowstring having an outsidediameter, at least along a portion of its length, small enough toreceive an arrow nock land an inside diameter large enough to pass abowstring therethrough.

For a Ibetter understanding of the present invention, together withother and further objects thereof, reference is had to the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

FIGURE l shows la portion of a conventional archery device and how whenusing such a device the archers fingers are subjected to the problem offinger pinch;

FIGURE 2 shows an archery device constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIGURE 3 shows a portion of the archery device of FIGURE 2 in drawnposition; and

FIGURES 4 through 7 show the details of various dif- 3,3 ,815 PatentedApr. 2 1968 ferent bowstring sheaths constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1, where a portion of a convention-al archery deviceis illustrated, a bowstring 10 having a serving 11 over its centralportion is seen in drawn position. The serving 11 is simply a threadwrapped around the bowstring which provides reinforcement for thebowstring at the point of nocking of an arrow 15. The bowstring is drawn`by the index finger 12, the middle finger 13 and the ring finger 14with the arrow 15 positioned between the index and middle fingers.

As the bowstring 10 is drawn, an acute angle is formed at the point ofnocking of the arrow 15. This causes the index finger 12 to be pinchedbetween the arrow 15 and that portion of the serving 11 just above thepoint of nocking. The middle finger 13 is pinched between the ringfinger 14 and the arrow 15, while the ring nger is pinched between themiddle finger and that portion of the serving 11 just below the point ofnocking.

It is apparent that this pinching of the index, middle and ring fingersis apt to cause, at least, discomfort and even possible injury to thefingers. In addition, difficulty is encountered in releasing the stringand arrow at the desired moment and at the desired orientation since thebowstring acts on the fingers in such a way as to force them to remainin contact with the arrow.

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, an archery device constructed inaccordance with the present invention includes a bow member 2f) havingthe usual curvature and a bowstring 21 attached between the ends 22 and23 of the bow member. A suitable hand portion 24 for grasping the bowmember 20 may also be provided.

Also included in the archery device of the invention is an inflexibletubular member 25 mounted on the bowstring 21. The tubular member 25 hasan outside diameter, at least along a portion of its length, smallenough to receive an arrow nock. The inside diameter of the tubularmember 25 is large enough to pass the bowstring 21 through it. Althoughtubular member 25 is shown as having a uniform` outside diameter alongits entire length, all that is necessary is that the tubular member havean outside diameter along a portion of its length small enough toreceive an arrow nock. The thickness of the wall of the tubular member25 is preferably approximately the same as the thickness of the servingon conventional archery devices. l

The tubular member 25 may be mounted on the bowstring 21 by applying anysuitable adhesive to the string at a predetermined point vat which thetubular member is to be mounted, sliding the tubular member onto thestring to the point of mounting and then permitting the adhesive to dry.It may be that in some instances, when it is found that the frictionexisting between the lbowstring 21 and the tubular member 25 is alonesufficient, the tubular member may be mounted onto the bowstring withoutthe use of an adhesive.

As is most apparent from FIGURE 3, when the bowstring 21 is drawn, thetubular member 25 prevents the bowstring from forming an acute anglesuch as the one shown in FIGURE l. This is due to the fact that tubularmember 25 is formed of an infiexible material which prevents bending ofthe bowstring 21. The result is that an archer using an archery deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention is not injured orhampered by the problem of finger pinch.

FIGURE 4 shows in greater detail the bowstring sheath 25 of FIGURE 3.Although tubular member 25 is shown in the sectional portion of FIGURE 4as being formed of a metal, it will be obvious that any suitablematerial having the requisite strength to render the sheath inflexiblemay be used. An additional feature is to treat the end regions oftubular member 25 in such a manner as to remove sharp edges which,because of rubbing between the bowstring 21 and the tubular member, maycause the bowstring to wear. In the FIGURE 4 embodiment, this isaccomplished by having the end regions of the sheath flared outward. Itis apparent that the flaring at the ends of the sheath may be even morepronounced than that shown in FIGURE 4. The most pronounced flaringwould result in the edges being rolled back completely to the sheath.

FIGURE 5 shows another embodiment of a bowstring sheath constructed inaccordance with the present invention. This embodiment is very similarto the one shown in FIGURE 4. The basic difference is that in FIGURE 5the end regions of the tubular member 2S are provided with rubber strips26 covering the edges of the tubular member to achieve the desired lackof sharp edges. The rubber strips may be applied, for example, by rubberdipping. The rubber strips 26 serve the additional purpose of protectingthe archer who does not use an arm guarded against possible injury whichmay be inflicted by the sheath after the string is released. It isapparent that plastic stripping may be used instead of the rubber strips26 to achieve the desired results.

FIGURE 6 shows still another embodiment of a bowstring sheathconstructed in accordance with the present invention. In this embodimentthere are provided an inflexible tubular member 27, similar to the oneshown in FIGURE 4 without the flared end regions, along with first andsecond sleeves 28 and 29, respectively, mounted on the tubular member27. The inflexible tubular member 27 has an outside diameter at leastalong a portion of its length, small enough to receive an arrow nock andan inside diameter large enough to pass a bowstring 30 through it. Thetwo sleeves 2S and 29 are, for the embodiment in FIGURE 6, formed of aninflexible material, shown in the sectional portion of FIGURE 6 as beingof a plastic or like material. It will be apparent that any othermaterial possessing the requisite characteristics may also be employed.Each of the sleeves 28 and 29 is provided with a recess surface 31 and32, respectively, into which the opposite ends of the tubular member 27are seated. The depth of the recesses 3l and 32 along with the length ofthe tubular member 27 is so set that the two sleeves, when mounted onthe tubular member 27, are separated by a distance 33 which is largeenough to receive an arrow nock. The mounting of the sleeves 28 and 29on the tubular member 27 may be effected by a press-fit As was the casefor the bowstring sheaths in FIGURES 4 and 5, end regions of thebowstring sheath of FIGURE 6 are also treated so that they lack sharpedges. In the embodiment of FIGURE 6, the inside surfaces of the sleeves28 and 29 are rounded at the ends farthest from each other so as toremove sharp edges. This condition may be accomplished bycounter-sinking the openings and if desired by further rounding with afile or similar tool.

Instead of forming the sleeves 28 and 29 of an inflexible material, aflexible material, such as teflon, may be used. Such a material wouldnot, in most cases, subject the bowstring 30 to wear at the edgesbecause of its flexibility. In order to prevent a flexible sleeve fromsnapping at the point at which the tubular member is seated, thispontion of the sleeve may be built up to make it less flexible with theouter end of the sleeve being thinner and more flexible.

FIGURE 7 shows yet another embodiment of a bowstring sheath constructedin accordance with the present invention. The bowstring sheath of FIGURE7 is very similar to the one shown in FIGURE 6. The primary differenceis` that the bowstring sheath of FIGURE 7 has the outside surfaces ofthe sleeves 34 and 35, mounted on tubular member 36, shaped to receivehuman fingers. Such shaping of the sleeves 34 and 35 may be accomplishedby the molding or machining of the sleeves. lt is obvious that byshaping the outside surface of the sleeves 34 and 35, the archer hasmore comfort in drawing the bowstring 37.

It should be pointed out that various additional features may be addedto the bowstring sheets just described, without departing from theprinciples of the present invention. For example, rubber or plasticcoverings may be -provided on the surfaces which are grasped by thearchers fingers. This feature is provided for archers who prefer not touse a shooting glove.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be thepreferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, aimedto cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. An archery device comprising:

(a) a bow member;

(b) a bowstring attached between the ends of said bow member;

(c) and a substantially cylindrical inflexible tubular member mounted onsaid bowstring having an outside diameter, at least along a portion ofits length, small enough to receive an arrow nock and an yinsidediameter large enough to pass said bowstring therethrough, at least oneend of said tubular member being flare-d outwardly and being otherwisefree of laterally projecting extensions.

2. An archery device comprising:

(a) a bow member;

(b) a bowstring attached between t-he ends of said bow member;

(-c) and `a substantially cylindrical infiexible tubular member fixed tosaid bowstring at a prescribed point having an outside diameter, atleast along a portion of its length, small enough to receive an arrownock :and an inside diameter large enough to p-ass said bowstringtherethrough, at least one end of said tubular member being flaredoutwardly and being otherwise free of laterally projecting extensions.

3. An archery device comprising:

(a) a bow member;

(b) a bowstring .att-ached between the ends of said bow member;

(c) and a substantially cylindrical inflexible tubular member mounted onsaid bowstring having an outside diameter, at least along a portion ofits length, small enough to receive an arrow nock and an in sidediameter large enough to pass said bowstring therethrough, at least oneend of said tubular member being flared outwardly and being Otherwisefree of laterally projecting extensions, the end regions of the insidesurface of said tubular member being so treated `as to lack sharp edges.

4. Anv archery device comprising:

(a) a bow member;

(b) a bowstring attached bow member;

(c) and a substantially cylindrical inflexible tubular member mounted onsaid bowstring having an outside diameter, at least along a portion ofits length, small enough to receive an arrow nock and an inside diameterlarge enougih to pass said bowstring therethrough, the end regions ofsaid tubular membeing flared outward, the tubular member being free oflaterally projecting extensions between the flared end regions.

5. An archery device comprising:

(a) a bow member;

(b) a bowstring attached between the ends of said bow member;

(c) ra substantially cylindrical inexible tubular member mounted on saidbowstring having an outside diameter, at least along a portion 0f itslength, small between the ends of said enough to receive Ian arrow nockand an inside diameter large enough to pass said bowstring therethrough,at least one end of said tubular member being flared outwardly and beingotherwise free of laterally projecting extensions;

(d) and protective rubber strips covering the end edges of said tubularmember.

6. An archery device comprising:

(a) a bow mem-ber;

('b) a bowstring attached between the ends of said bow member;

(c) a substantially cylindrical intiexible tubular member mounted onsaid bowstring having an outsi-de diameter, at least lalong a portion ofits length, small enough to receive an arrow nock and an inside diameter.large enough t-o pass said bowstring therethrough, the end regions ofsaid tubular member being flared outward, the tubular member being freeof laterally projecting extensions between the flared end regions;

(d) and protective rubber strips covering the edges of said flaredregions.

7. An archery device comprising:

(a) a bow member;

(b) ya bowstring attached between the ends of said bow member;

(c) an inliexible tubular member mounted on said bowstring having anoutside diameter, at least along a portion of its length, small enoughto receive an arrow nock and an inside diameter large enough to passsaid bowstring therethrough;

(d) a -rst sleeve mounted on said tubular member;

(e) land a second sleeve mounted on said tubular member and separatedfrom said first sleeve by a distance large enough to pass an arrow nockbetween said two sleeves.

8. An acrhery device comprising:

(a) a bow member;

(b) a bowstring attached between the ends of said lbow member;

(c) `an inflexible tubular member mounted on said bowstring having anoutside diameter, at least along a portion of its length, small enoughto receive an arrow nock and an inside diameter l-arge enough to passsaid bowstring therethrough;

(d) a iirst inflexible sleeve tightly mounted on said tubular member;

(e) and a second inflexible sleeve tightly mounted on said tubularmember and separated from said first sleeve by a distance large enoughto pass an arrow nock between said two sleeves.

9. An archery device according to claim 8 wherein the inside surfaces ofthe sleeves are rounded at the ends farthest from cach other to removesharp edges.

10. An archery device according to claim 8 wherein the outside surfacesof the sleeves are shaped to receive huma-n fingers.

11. A bowstring sheath comprising:

(a) a substantially cylindrical inflexible tubular member having anoutside diameter, at least along a the outside surfaces of the huma-nfingers.

portion of its length, small enough to receive an arrow nock and aninside diameter large en-ough to pass a bowstring therethrough; at leastone end of said tubular member being flared outwardly;

(b) and protective rubber strips covering the edges of said tubularmember, said tubular member being `otherwise free of laterallyprojecting extensions.

12. A bowstring she-ath comprising:

(a) a substantially cylindrical intiexible tubular member having anoutside diameter, at least along a portion o-f its length, small enoughto receive an arrow nock and an inside diameter large enough to pass abowstring therethrough, the end regions of said .member being flaredoutward;

` (b) and protective rubber strips covering the edges of said flaredregions, said tubular member being other- Wise free off laterallyprojecting extensions.

13. A bowstring sheath comprising:

(a) an intlexible tubular member having an outside diameter, at leastalong a portion of its length, small enough to receive an arrow nock andan inside diameter large enough to pass a bowstring therethrough;

(b) a first sleeve mounted on said tubular member;

(c) and a second sleeve mounted on said tubular member and separatedfrom said lirst sleeve by a distance large enough to pass an arrow nockbetween said ltwo sleeves,

14. A bowstring sheath comprising:

(a) lan inflexible tubular member having an outside diameter, at leastalong a portion of its length, small enough to receive an arrow nock andan inside diameter large enough to pass a bowstring therethrough;

(.b) a rst inflexible sleeve tightly mounted on said tubular member; l

(c) and a second inflexible sleeve tightly mounted on said tubularmember and separated from said first `sleeve by a distance large enoughto pass an arrow nock between said two sleeves.

15. A bowstring sheath .according to claim 14 wherein the insidesurfaces of the sleeves are rounded at the ends farthest vfrom eachother to remove sharp edges. 16. A bowstring sheath .according to claim14 wherein sleeves are shaped to receive References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 673,688 5/1901 Pickett 273-63 1,785,589 12/1930` Mead 124-301,960,477 5/1934 Cowdery 4.-- 124--23 2,905,166 9/1959 Niemeyer 124-303,135,020 6/1964 Holl et .al 124-30 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.RlCHARD C. PINKHAM, F. BARRY SHAY,

Examiners.

0 W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner.

